A Los Angeles Lakers executive set the record straight on the situation with LeBron James.
Lakers Executive Comments on LeBron James’ Decision Amid Trade Rumors originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
LeBron James opted in to his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season. However, the Lakers have not worked out an extension with James, which has fueled rumors that the team may trade him this offseason.
Even if James is 40 years old, he's coming off an excellent season. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from three. His efforts led to him finishing sixth in MVP voting, an All-NBA second-team, and his 21st All-Star game appearance.
James will make $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season. Besides what he can still do on the court, he would have appeal as a trade target as a trade suitor wouldn't have to worry about the long-term money if one acquired him.
However, even with all the rumors, recent indications are that James will stay a Laker. A Lakers executive explained to Spotrac's Keith Smith that James isn't going anywhere this offseason.
“Whenever you sign a player to a deal with an option, you willingly give them the control to initially guide the situation. But this notion that a player option gives the player all of the power, is pretty silly. If they opt out, the team is then a partner in re-signing them or not. If they opt in, then the team is a partner in whatever happens next too. For LeBron, he had a player option and made his decision to opt in. We’re just happy that he’s still a Laker,” the executive told Smith.
I finished emptying out my Summer League notebook with some notes from personnel around the NBA on the NBA Draft, NBA expansion and then notes from all 30 Western Conference teams.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 22, 2025
Read more on @spotrac:https://t.co/nQS2cqm2ip
Though James appears to be staying with the Lakers for next season, there's no telling if this means he will finish his career in Los Angeles.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
